Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22734, William Donnald, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Donald, William or Donald
S. 22734
Born in Penn.
CONTENTS

1831 Pittsburgh
William Donald
Westmoreland in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt: commanded by Col. Albright in the Pa. Line for Bunker
scribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Augt - 1833 and sent to J. J. Young. Pittsburgh
arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $180.00 Pension allowance ending Sept. - 45.00
$225.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book 2 Vol. 5. Page 74

William Donald

State of Pennsylvania Northumberland County ss
On this thirtieth _____ day of May A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable John Young Esquire and his Associates Judges of a Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid now sitting William Donald a resident of Franklin Township in the County and State aforesaid aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein after stated -
In the year nineteen hundred & seventy six and about the first of May of said year this Declarant enlisted when in York County Pennsylvania for the period of one year in a Company commanded by Captain Joshua Williams First Lieutenant James Dill Second Lieutenant William Dodds and Francis Dorer Ensign and attached to a Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line under the command of Colonel Swops - In the said Company this Declarant was appointed Second Sergeant from the day he had enlisted in the same -
This Declarant was marched with the Company from York County direct to Amboy in New Jersey thence to the North River above New York Where he assisted in building Fort Lee and at which time General James Ewing commanded our Brigade, but the whole appeared to be under the command of His Excellency Genl Washington - When at the D o Fort this Declarant was frequently with many others obliged to haul the Cannon from one place to another with a view to fire on the British Ships when crossing over the Chevaux-de-Frise fixed in the River opposite the Fort - From Fort Lee this Declarant was sent in a detachment under the command of Major Clarke up the North River to a place called the Slough between Fort Lee and Fort Montgomery there to watch three British Ships that lay in the River - Three Shallops were sent from Fort Montgomery for flour that was under our care at the Slough - The flour was stored on Board of them, and they had made no sail until they were surprised by twenty one small Boats and a Row Galley  Boat coming from the British vessels lying not far distant from the Shore - The Shallops with the flour tacked about and returned to our protection, where we raised retired behind a Breast work of stone near the

Shore and succeeded in preventing the landing of the British as well as saved the flour - We sent the flour that we saved by land in wagons to Fort Montgomery - In this skirmish we had but one of our men killed and killed of the British twenty two - About the time of this occurrence, Colonel Swope was sent with an reinforcement from Fort Lee to Fort Washington where he and those of the Fort were made Prisoners - When our troops were driven from Fort Lee, orders were transmitted from Genl. Washington to Major Clark commanding us to join our respective companies which we did not effect until after our troops had crossed the River at Trenton and made a stand in Bucks County Pennsylvania - The British having always intercepted us from the main Army until our juncture in Bucks County - This Declarant then with the Main Army crossed the Delaware River when a plan was devised by Genl. Washington to take Trenton then occupied by the Hessians - This Declarant thinks that the Battle commenced sometime after twelve O'clock on the morning of the twenty fourth of December in the year 1776 - We were in sight of Trenton on the evening of the twenty fifth when our arrangements were made and we were divided into two parties - The party that entered above the Town was commanded by Genl. Washington and the party that entered at the lower part of the town by Genl. Ewing - This Declarant thinks it was about nine or ten O'clock when the Hessians surrendered about nine hundred in number - This Declarant relates as a fact for history that after the Battle was over and when the our men or some of them were standing in ranks under arms, one unfortunately fell asleep when resting on his Gun which accidentally went off and shot him through the head, which when discovered by His Excellency Genl. Washington occasioned him to shed tears - We were driven from Trenton by the British and encamped below the town some distance - Then proceeded towards Princeton under the command of Genl. Washington on the night of the second day of January 1777 and commenced our attack against Princeton on the next morning being the third day of January, when but a short time after day light the British surrendered - On the same day the British at Trenton, learning our success at Princeton pursued us, driving us from Princeton, the deep snow and inclemency of the season caused them to give up the chase, they went to Brunswick and we tended our way to our Headquarters at Morristown which they really enjoyed being at the time of their arrival nearly naked & famished -

After a stay of about two weeks at Morristown this Declarant was marched with his company to Rocky Ridge on the American lines between Morristown and Princeton where they were stationed and employed in scouting and guarding Prisoners and delivering them over to Genl. Putnam. We continued at Rocky Ridge until sometime in March or April 1777 when our Captain was received in to the Standing Army as a Captain and our number being diminished to five, our Lieutenant Dodds went to Morristown where he received from Genl. Washington a General discharge for us all - This Declarant believes said Discharge was in writing but never saw it that he remembers -
This Declarant's home was in Cumberland County and before his return from the said tour when in York County he joined a company under the command of Captain Black who appointed me First Sergeant in the same - It was in the last of April or first of May 1777 when this Declarant volunteered in Black's company of Artillery which was for two months - We were marched to Leroy and stationed near Princeton on the American lines where we remained the two months then were dismissed and marched back to Yorktown which was sometime in the last of June 1777 -
This Declarant was drafted in the summer of 1778 in a company of Militia under the command of Capt Adkins in York County Penna for two months - Colonel Albright commanded the whole - We were marched to the frontier to guard the inhabitants against the ravages of the Indians - we were stationed at the Lead mine Fort near the Bald Eagle Ridge - after the expiration of this tour here we were dismissed and returned each to our respective homes - In this company second sergeant he was a sergeant
This Declarant again was drafted in the summer of 1780 about the middle of August in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Young in Cumberland County Penna for two months. We were marched to the frontier between the Standing Stone and Frankstown at Fort Anderson - This Declarant was sent out in a scouting Party near the Allegheny Mountain and was wounded by one of our own men above my left knee when in pursuit of the Indians he was taken back to the Fort, being unfit for duty was left there till the return of our company from the station at Frankstown when this Declarant was dismissed which was sometime in October 1780 - This Declarant was appointed in Capt. Young's company second sergeant and acted as such

This Declarant was taken by his Brother on Horseback from Fort Anderson to his home in Cumberland County -
This Declarant claims a Pension for Eighteen months Service to wit one year under Capt. Williams - two months under Black - two months under Atkins - and two months under Tenny - making in all one year and six months - This Declarant avers all the facts as before stated to be true and that he has no Documentary Evidence to establish them and knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service -
This Declarant lived about six months since in Washington Township where he communed in the Reverend Mr. Dicks Congregation, but now lives in Franklin Township where the Clergymen of said Township are not so intimately acquainted with the reputation he has always borne as a soldier of the Revolution, as the Clergymen of Washington or North Huntingdon where he lived some time - He states this as a reason for not having one attached to the Certificate that will follow - His Old Pastor Mr. Dick could not attend at Court - He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State but receive as a gratuity from the State of Pennsylvania about forty Dollars annually -
Interrogatories 1 st . When and in what year were you born?
In Cumberland County Penn a . - In April in the year 1753 -
2 d Have you any Record of your age and if so where is it?
None but a copy of that as kept by my Father which I have with me -
3 d When were you born, when called into Service when have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
In York County and Cumberland County Penn a . lived then since and have lived in Northumberland County Penn a . thirty years past -
4 th How were you called into Service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if so, for whom?
Answer - The answer to this question is embodied in the foregoing
Declaration -
5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your Service?
The answer to this question is also embodied in the foregoing Declaration - Lieutenant Colonel Stewart is the name of an Officer he will recollect.

Address
Joseph Young
2606 Greenburgh
Pennsylvania

6. Did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
I never received a written one that I recollect —
7 th State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behaviour your services as a soldier of the Revolution —
I have been, Samuel Murray, Humphrey Fullerton, and the Reverend Mungo Dick, Reverend Francis Baird —
Sworn to and subscribed the 3 rd day and year aforesaid allot. Randal McLaughlin Pst. William Donald The words "Second" Sergeant initialed before signing
We Hugh Torrance living in Franklin Township Westmoreland County and Humphrey Fullerton — living in North Huntingdon Township same County and State of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Donald who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion —
Sworn to and subscribed the 5 th day and year aforesaid allot. Hugh Torrance Humphrey Fullerton
Randal McLaughlin, Pst.
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Hugh Torrance who has sworn to and signed the foregoing Certificate is a resident in Township of Franklin and County of Westmoreland in the State of Pennsylvania and that Humphrey Fullerton who has also signed the same is a resident in North Huntingdon Township in the County and State aforesaid, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full Credit — And further that the reasons as stated in the foregoing Declaration

for the not having the certificate of a clergyman, appear to them to be reasonable and highly probable -
I Randal McLaughlin Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in the matter of the Application of William Donald for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my Office at Greenburgh this Thirtieth day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three -
Randal McLaughlin. Clerk

No 26064
William Donald Westmoreland County Pennsylvania
18 mo Leaf. $90.-
Joseph H Young Greenburgh Penn a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Donald Westmoreland County Pennsylvania
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist May 1776 1 — — 2 Serg { Capt Williams, Col Swops 80 years York County Pennsylvania Traditionary evidence, papers properly attached.   Served 1777 — 2 — 1. Serg { Capt Black,   Draft June 1778 — 2 — 2. Serg { Capt Atkins, Col Albright   Draft June 1780 — 2 — 2. Serg { Capt Young.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
L. W. B. Cur I. 22734.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
March 17, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that William Donald made an application for pension on May 30, 1833, at which time he was 80 years of age and residing in Westmoreland County, Penna., and his pension was allowed for eighteen months' actual service as a sergeant in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Williams and Col. Albright. He enlisted in York County, Penna.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Lt. W. H. Faust,
U. S. T. S. "Constellation,"
Newport, R. I.

P/
U. S. T. S. Constellation -
Newport - R. I., March 10, 1898.
Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior - Washington, D. C.
Sir -
Will you kindly send me what information you have concerning William Donald, supposed to have been an officer in the War of the Revolution, from Cumberland County, Penna, and to have drawn a pension. A family tradition is to the effect that he was a prisoner in the barracks at the Carlisle, Penna, at some time during the war.
Very truly yours,
W. A. Faust,
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy.

Parole
22,734
INVALID.
No. 22,734
William Donald
Chas. Rev. Rev.
Jan. 1882
Rev. Rev.
Rev. Rev.

March 17-91 Lt. W. H. First. Depart.